BUILDING work on Coventry's long-awaited superhospital could start within weeks.

The announcement was made today after University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and project partner Skanska Innisfree reached a commercial agreement on the plans.

Peter Marsh, project director, said: "This is a significant hurdle and we are now a matter of weeks away from making the dream of a brand new hospital a reality.

"There was a great deal of concentrated discussion needed to make sure that we and our partners produced an agreement which worked for the people of Coventry, Warwickshire and beyond."

Staff employment terms have yet to be drawn up as the national debate continues over whether non-clinical staff, like caterers, would be employed by the NHS or a private company.

However, the trust aims to sign legal and contractual agreements in time for a formal contract signing in March.

It is hoped the clinical sciences building will be completed by autumn next year, the mental health facility by autumn 2004 and the acute hospital by winter 2006.

Bryan Stoten, chairman of the trust, said: "We are close to fulfilling our promise to give people a brand new modern hospital with first-class patient and teaching facilities, fit for the delivery of world-class hospital care.

"With such a superb hospital and the proven dedication of our staff, we aim to be at the forefront of hospital care not just in this country, but in the field of western European and North American medicine."

* Plans for the #205m super hospital were first heard in 1998 but it was not until October 1999, that Walsgrave Hospital was chosen for the new venture, over a city-centre location.